Security forces on red alert
France stays vigilant with fears of terrorist reprisals after killing of Osama Bin Laden
POLICE and security forces are on red alert in France, its ports, airports and main transport hubs, after the killing of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan.
Terror experts say that groups with links to Al-Qaida will want a rapid response to the death of the group’s leader, and Prime Minister François Fillon has called on embassies and consulates abroad to tighten up security.
Speaking on France 2, he said that Bin Laden’s death did not mean the end of terrorism. He added that security forces were predicting retaliation attacks from splinter groups.
However, he said the position of the Al Qaida leader had already been weakened by the rise of the pro-democracy movements which have already inspired change across North Africa and in the Middle East.
French security forces have asked their American counterparts for rapid information that could help in their task, especially as there are ongoing investigations into threatened terror attacks. They are working with German authorities after the arrest of three suspects in Dusseldorf on Friday and there are said to be other arrests in the pipeline.
Interior minister Claude Guéant has said he is looking at updating the anti-terror Vigipirate plan, which is at red alert.
Foreign minister Alain Juppé said there would be no change from the current level. His advisors say the main threat is against American and Pakistani targets but splinter groups were still a danger on French soil.
Mr Juppé and Mr Fillon both refused to speculate on the fate of the French hostages held in Afghanistan and the north African Sahel.
There are four levels to Vigipirate: Yellow where there are real but localised risks at a low level; Orange where a terrorist threat is seen as likely leading to increased security on transport, especially the TGV, and where water supplies are under increased surveillance; Red for severe risk of one or more serious dangers, where water is stocked and airspace is restricted.
The final, alert stage, Scarlet is where imminent major threats are in place: civil aviation may be halted, mains water supplies cut and certain road tunnels closed.
